Sliding tub



y 1951 A. N. SCHAFFHAUSEN, SR 2,551,906

SLIDING TUB Filed Aug. 31, 1948 Albert N. Schaffhausenfi INVEN TOR.

, )0 BY M -Mq Patented May 8, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SLIDING TUB Albert N. Schaffhausen, Sr., St. Paul, Minn.

Application August 31, 1948, Serial N 0. 46,972

1 Claim. (Cl. 2801-12) This invention relates to novel and useful improvement in amusement devices, for children and grown-ups alike.

An object of this invention is to slide on a relatively slick surface, as ice and snow by means of an individual containing body, preferably circular and to decelerate the body by means of a brake mechanism attached to one side thereof, this brake mechanism imparting gyrations to the body when in movement.

Another object of this invention is to tow the body by means of a tow rope appropriately provided on the body.

Another object of this invention is to supply a brake mechanism which includes a pivoted arm, which arm is limited in its travel to pivotal movement and which engages variously positioned stops to further limit the pivotal movement to only a pre-selected amount.

Another object of this invention is to provide an extremely inexpensive device of the character to be described which lends itself well to commercial manufacture and which serves its intended function effectively.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following the description of the preferred form of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the invention in use by an individual;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the invention shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating details of construction of the brake mechanism and taken on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an alternate means of attachment of the tow rope.

The present invention has been developed in order to provide a device conducive of enjoyment to young and old alike. It is a device used in sliding, similar to a sled but serving a different purpose.

In sliding it is sometimes very enjoyable to be subjected to various gyrations and due to the circular configuration of the body member and an appropriate positioned brake mechanism these gyrations are effected.

A body indicated at Ill and resembling a tub is shown in the drawings and is used for the purpose of retaining an individual. There are two means illustrated whereby a tow line l2 may 2 be attached to the body It. The first means consists of a pair of brackets 14 attached to the inner surface of the body In and having the tow line I2 threaded therethrough. The second means is seen as a simple pair of apertures l6 provided in one wall of the said tub or body It with the tow line [2 threaded therethrough.

Referring now to the brake mechanism, it will be seen that a back plate 20 is arcuate in configuration, conforming to the external shape of the tub. It is attached at substantially relative to the tow line for convenience of operation. An arm 22 is pivoted to the said back plate 20 by means of a conventional pivot pin which extends through the arm 22 and which attaches to the plate 20.

In order to limit the travel of the said arm 22 there is provided three stops which are indicated at 26, 28 and 36 respectively. The said stops 28 and 30 respectively are in vertical planes spaced apart substantially the width of the arm 22 and are positioned at opposite sides of the pivot pin 24, The third stop 26 is positioned approximately on the same horizontal plane containing the said pivot pin 24. This limits the pivotal movement of the arm 22 as it is urged forward by means of the individual in the body H]. In order to limit side play of the arm 22, a strap or brace 32 extends between the stops 26 and 30 respectively and is on the other side of the said arm 22. On the back side of the arm 22 and attached to the back plate of the said stops 26 and 30 there may be a similar strap or brace which also insures proper pivotal movement of the arm 22.

In operation, the device is set in motion down an incline. When it is desired to slow down the device, the brake mechanism may be applied. However, the more important functional operation of the brake mechanism is to impart gyrations to the circular body, as the braking is effected on one side of the device relative to the line of movement of the said body.

While there has been described and illustrated but a preferred form of the invention, it is apparent that variations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In a coasting device for use on snow and ice, a body providing an enclosure for seating a person including hi feet, said body having a cylindrical side wall and a flat bottom of circular form joined to the lower edge of the side wall, said side wall having means to retain a tow line near the upper edge thereof, said means also providing an indication of the front part of the cylindrical side wall, a single mounting plate secured to the outer surface of said cylindrical side wall at a location thereon substantially ninety degrees removed from said means to thereby locate said mounting plate on one side of said fiat bottomed body, a single brake arm pivoted to said plate and being of such length to extend above the upper edge of said cylindrical side wall and below the lower edge of said side wall when said brake arm is in a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical side wall, stops secured to said mounting plate and disposed in the path of pivotal movement of said brake arm to limit the eiitent of pivotal movement of said brake arm, and said brake arm, by virtue of its particular location on said body in conjunction with the fiat bottom of said body,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,148,291 Curwen July 27, 1915 1;449,916 'Scripa Mar. 27, 1923 1,492,287 Dage Apr. 29, 1924 2,464,341 Ostlund. Mar. 15, 1949 

